The Campaign Cancer Cancer

Like most people, on a personal level, my best wishes go out the Elizabeth Edwards given her recent diagnosis. But frankly, I don't see what her cancer has to do with anything political. If anything, I find it annoying all this discussion of it in a political context.

The Edward's are no more brave or noble than any number of others who have faced the disease and gone on with their lives as best they can. In many ways, they are much bettered prepared due to their wealth. This issue doesn't do anything to shed light on Edwards as a candidate. I don't respect their dwelling on it one bit and in some ways find it rather distasteful.

I also find it incredibly selfish to go forward with the campaign given their 6 and 8 year old children. I heard Limbaugh commented on it today, I haven't read the bulk of his comments. From his site:

(Bob) SHRUM: Now America's different, and I believe that today people got more education about cancer and how to deal with cancer, and in one day, than they have very often over a long period of time.

What a bunch of nonsense that is. Frankly, the last thing we need right now is a lot of inappropriate emotion injected into our politics. Too many voters are ignorant and vapid as it is, the last thing I want is to see them voting for a President based upon sympathy. If the Edwards' want to handle this with dignity, then get on with the political discussion and do what you said you were going to do. Stop allowing the press to use an illness to put you on the front page.

Comments

[Zifnab]

Yesh, doesn't Edwards know that if his wife has cancer he should divorce her and marry a newer, younger trophy wife? All this talk of treating cancer and loving our spouses detracts the nation from spotlighting the real problems in American culture today, namely the death of moral values in our society.

Gingrich '08!

[Hard Right]

It does look like a crass attempt to grab the brass ring, but it's their decision.

[templar knight]

I just knew that is how you would feel, Nabby. Just throw your wife aside because she is sick, and grab a trophy wife, huh, Ziffy? What about that "for better or for worse, in sickness and in health", what about that, Ziffy? You're a real sorry human being, nabby! Hahaha!

[Zifnab]

"You're a real sorry human being, nabby! Hahaha!"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newt_Gingrich#Personal_life
"In 1962, Gingrich married Jackie Battley, his former high school geometry teacher, when he was 19 years old; she was seven years his senior at 26 years old.[5] [6] Jackie raised their two daughters, worked to put Newt through graduate school and was a loyal political wife.[7] Gingrich and Battley divorced in 1980. Battley has charged that Gingrich discussed the terms of their divorce settlement while she was in the hospital recovering from cancer surgery.[8] According to L.H. Carter, his campaign treasurer, Newt said of Battley: "She's not young enough or pretty enough to be the wife of the President. And besides, she has cancer."[9] Newt has vigorously denied saying anything like this and his staff has stated that L. H. Carter was a disgruntled employee left behind in Georgia. [10] He refused to pay alimony or child support.[11] His hometown First Baptist Church had to take up a collection to support the family.[12] Newt's younger daughter, Jackie Gingrich Zyla, refuted much of the above by saying, "My dad has always stood behind and supported me and my sister in everything we have done," she said. "We care about our father, and he cares about us." [13]

Gingrich married Marianne Ginther in late 1981.[14] Marianne was quoted in a 1995 article in Vanity Fair as saying: "I don't want him to be president and I don't think he should be." Marianne added, "Right now, the presidency is not a single person. It's not so much what he'd be doing. It's what I'd be doing." by which she meant not that Newt would not be a good President but that she did not particularly look forward to being first lady.[15] They divorced in 1999, the same year Gingrich had an affair with a then 33-year old member Congressional staffer, Callista Bisek, whom he married the next year.[16] Gingrich's affair was taking place at the same time that he was condemning President Bill Clinton for lying (under oath) about his own affair with staffer Monica Lewinsky. Newt Gingrich did not discuss his own affair until March, 2007. While Gingrich admits his behavior was not to his moral standards, he differentiates his experiences from Clinton's by noting that Clinton was being impeached not for his sexual behavior, but for lying under oath. According to several newspaper editorials, the electability of Gingrich for president is questionable on a Republican party ticket — with a party that emphasizes family values and Christianity as some of their strongest assets. [17]"

Don't say that about Newt. He's a good man, damnit, and he's got such lofty principles. And don't call him "nabby". He's got an ointment for that. That's a personal matter between him and his doctor.

[Buzzy]

Must be some fire under there somewhere because the leftists want to change the subject far too much.

God knows that anyone seriously running for President these days has to be dedicated to the concept beyond sane reason. Who would want to subject themselves to all the crap that goes with it.

Yeah, Newt is pretty much unelectable as a Republican (but his behavior wouldn't be a problem if he was a Democrat) because we (conservatives) moral values over political ability to a very large degree. Newt screwed up and admits that his behavior wasn't up to his own moral standards but the fact remains that even though he might just be one of the smartest conservatives around he just isn't electable.

But what if Newt had instead decided to use his wife's disease as a campaign tool in a race for President? But of course a lawyer would never do a thing like that, at least I would hope he wouldn't.

[Jim]

I agree with what you have to say about Mrs. Edwards cancer being a sympathy vote getter.

And, on a personal level I wish her the best. But, I know from personal experience with my wife that once cancer has spread the prognosis is very poor. I also know that oncologists are pretty much considered the vultures of the medical establishment. Those they circle are most often doomed. And by saying this I don’t mean to demean cancer doctors because I know they most often do the best they can.

I hate to sound so pessimistic but that’s just the way it is. When medical people tell you they can do wonders now, that’s true. At least for cancers caught early and cancers that don’t metastasize.

Given all this and on the off-chance that Edwards would get elected president, do we want a president who will quite likely be distracted for quite some time by the failing health of his wife? I know from personal experience that when one loses his beloved wife of many years – 34 years in my case – the distraction is intense and crippling to a large extent, and one’s better judgment is impaired for quite a spell.

I personally will not vote for a democrat because their ideology is insipid. However, given the Republicans lackluster lineup so far, it is quite possible that a democrat will be elected, and that democrat could be Edwards, either as president or as vice-president.

[seekeronos]

Fred Thompson '08. 'nuff said.

[Phoenix]

Jim,

These are tough statements to defend: "I also know that oncologists are pretty much considered the vultures of the medical establishment. Those they circle are most often doomed." I think the medical establishment considers most oncologists the last hope. They are also respected for the most part because of the increasing, rapid pace of medicine in regards to cancer treatments. They must be aware of much more than the average doctor to stay on top of the field. I also do not believe for a minute that oncologists 'circle' anyone. People seek them out. I just went through all you went through (though it was with my mother), and of all the doctors my mother dealt with, the oncologist is the one my heart bled for. They have to face daily the fact that they can't save everyone. I mean no disrespect.

As far as this business with Edwards, I have vacillated back and forth. I think he's slimey, but I think his wife is doing the best thing for herself. They seem to live for campaigning and for her illness to be the cause of her husband letting go of his dreams, and hers, as well, would probably cause them both some weird, backhanded bitterness. Staying home languishing could be the worst thing for her. Her life is not over so she should embrace it with gusto while she can. There is a lot to be said for how the spirit aids in healing.

It may be the reporters are keeping this up front when the Edwards would like it to die down. Who knows. One thing is good: She will be an inspiration for many cancer sufferers.

[Jeff]

Funny how she got cancer the first wednesday after the first monday in November '04.

Cancer wasn't convienient then, but it works well now... I support him staying in the race, don't support him pimping his wife for votes and money. You would have to be blind not to see that.

[Jeff]

Maybe if we had socialized medicine she never would have gotten cancer...

[Jim]

Phoneix,
I, too, have a great deal of respect for oncologist for theirs is quite often a losing battle. And they must face this day in and day out. I'm sure it must be very depressing for them. My use of the "circling vulture" construct was not meant as an insult to them. It just occurred to me, during the many hours I spent in the hospital with my wife, that everywhere the oncologist congregated, the patients died. I'm not saying it was their fault.

Mainly, in my comment, I wanted to point out that Mrs. Edwards condition, despite her apparent healthy look now, is probably terminal within the next few months to couple of years.

The real point of my post was to suggest that Mr. Edwards, should he be elected to the office of president or vice-president, would be distracted as his wife's condition deteriorates, as it likely will. The last thing the U.S. needs is a distracted president or vice-president, even if it's a democrat.

[Phoenix]

Jim,

I agree about Edwards being distracted were he to gain office, but the chances of that are slim. That is where I come on strongest in my vacillation about this. Even he has to realize his chances for winning are slim, and in that, I think his continuing on in the face of his wife's illness is creepy and blind. It could be the addiction to celebrity. I don't know. The whole thing bothers me, and as usual, I try to distinguish the positive first. They believe they are being useful and productive, and they have hope for victory. That's strong medicine and may be just what the doctor ordered.